Golf ball comprising renewable resource component

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprises about 10 wt % or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprising an ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having the formula: 
       —OCR 1 R 2 (CR 3 R 4 ) n CO—
 
     wherein n is an integer, and wherein R 1,  R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are selected from the group comprising saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substituted radicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms. In one embodiment, the golf ball also comprises about 90 wt % or less of a non renewable polymer composition. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed about the core and adjacent the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the cover and the intermediate layer comprises the renewable polymer composition. The renewable polymer composition comprises at least one of a notched Izod impact strength of about 0.5 ft-lbs/inch or greater and a polydispersity of from about 1.0 to about 4.0. The at least one of the core and the cover or the intermediate layer may comprise a hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/752,423, filed Apr. 1, 2010, which is acontinuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/752,378,filed Apr. 1, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a golf ball including a renewable resourcecomponent comprising a biodegradable composition in at least one of thegolf ball core (having one or more layers), intermediate layer(s) andcover layer(s). The resulting golf ball possesses desirable playingcharacteristics such as high resiliency, sustained impact durability,and soft feel, meanwhile protecting the environment over an extendedperiod of time by being decomposable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf balls are generally divided into two classes: solid and wound.Solid golf balls include a solid core of one or more layers, a cover ofone or more layers, and optionally one or more intermediate layers.Wound golf balls typically include a solid, hollow, or fluid-filledcenter, surrounded by tensioned elastomeric material, and a cover. Solidgolf balls, as compared with wound balls, are more durable andresilient, providing better distance than wound balls due to theirhigher initial velocity upon impact with a club face. Meanwhile, thewound construction provides a softer “feel”, lower compression andhigher spin rate—characteristics often preferred by accomplished golferswho are able to control the ball's flight and positioning.

By altering solid golf ball construction and composition, manufacturerscan vary a wide range of playing characteristics such as resilience,durability, spin, and “feel”, optimizing each according to variousplaying abilities and achieving a solid golf ball possessing feelcharacteristics more like their wound predecessors. For example, byshifting the density (the weight or mass of the golf ball) toward thecenter of the ball, the moment of inertia of the golf ball can bereduced, thereby increasing the initial spin rate of the ball as itleaves the golf club head as a result of the higher resistance from thegolf ball's moment of inertia.

In this regard, core is the “engine” of the golf ball when hit with aclub head. That is, it is the spring of the ball and its principalsource of resiliency. Meanwhile, the intermediate layers based onionomers aid in maintaining initial speed, contribute to desired spinrate, and improve playability/impact durability as well as acting as amoisture barrier to protect the cores from the CoR loss. The cover,while originally intended to protect the golf ball from scuffing, mayalso be modified to target a desired spin rate, feel, and playability,even addressing such issues as “lift” and “drag”.

Golf ball manufacturers, motivated recently by concerns about thewelfare of the environment, have sought to incorporate materials in thecore, intermediate layer and/or cover which not only improveperformance, but are also at least in part biodegradable, decomposable,and easily disposed of or discarded in an environmentally friendlyfashion. Conventionally, golf ball cores and/or centers are constructedwith a polybutadiene-based polymer composition which is obtained from anon-renewable resource such as petroleum, a non biodegradable/nonrenewable resource which may cause some long term detrimental effects onthe environment. The core compositions of this type are constantly beingaltered in an effort to provide a targeted or desired coefficient ofrestitution (“COR”) while at the same time resulting in a lowercompression which, in turn, can lower the golf ball spin rate, providebetter “feel,” or both. This is a difficult task, however, given thephysical limitations of currently-available polymers. Accordingly, thereis a need for a material that overcomes these limitations, meanwhilebeing biodegradable.

Manufacturers likewise struggle in their attempt to improve intermediateand cover layers. For example, the hardness range in golf ball utilizingconventional ionomer blends is still limited and even the softest blendssuffer from a “plastic” feel according to some golfers. Recently,polyurethane-based materials have been employed in golf ball layers and,in particular, outer cover layers, due to their softer “feel”characteristics without loss in resiliency and/or durability. However,these polyurethane components are likewise petroleum based, furtheringthe long term detrimental effect on the environment. Therefore, thereremains a similar need for novel and improved golf ball intermediatelayer and cover compositions having at least some biodegradablecharacteristics.

One attempt to incorporate biodegradable materials in golf balls is seenin U.S. 2006/0205534A1 of Egashira et al., which discloses golf ballsincluding ester group-containing or ester group-free biodegradablecompounds. However, Egashira et al., like other attempts, fails torecognize or appreciate that the molecular weight of the renewableresource component in a biodegradable composition, i.e. low, medium highor ultra high is an important consideration and directly impacts golfball characteristics, playability and melt processability duringinjection or compression molding of golf ball layers. In this regard,Egashira et al. explicitly instructs that no particular molecular weightlimitation should be placed on the biodegradable compounds. See Egashiraet al., for example, at [0018].

Meanwhile, Egashira et al. and other attempts to incorporatebiodegradable materials in golf balls do not disclose nor appreciate thebenefits of incorporating ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compounds (UHMWPHA) in at least one of the core,core layer(s), intermediate layer(s) and cover layer(s) of a golf ballto improve golf ball characteristics. Further, heretofore, the benefitsof including functional moieties such as acid, ionic, ester, anhydrideor amine in ultra high molecular weight PHA golf ball compositions havealso been overlooked.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates, or PHAs, are produced in nature by bacterialfermentation of sugar or lipids. They are produced by the bacteria tostore carbon and energy. The resulting characteristics of a PHAcomposition can be changed by altering any or all of the bacterialstrain being used, the carbon source, and the fermentation conditions.Accordingly, due to this as well as the chemical reactivity nature ofPHA's, several different monomers can be combined within this family toprovide materials with a wide range of different properties from verystiff to very soft, each of which may be incorporated to achieve adesired golf ball characteristic. Golf ball properties can also beeasily and inexpensively changed by blending, modifying the surface orcombining PHAs with other polymers, enzymes and inorganic materials,making it possible for a wider range of applications.

Hence, a golf ball designer can simply and inexpensively manufacturegolf balls including such biodegradable materials using conventionalgolf ball manufacturing processes and methods to impact either a lowspin from a driver to a high spin golf ball close to the green forbetter controllability. This is especially true, given that homo andcopolymers of PHAs have a wide range of melting points ranging fromabout 40° C. to about 180° C.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved golf ball comprising arenewable polymer composition having a biodegradable ultra highmolecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate component possessing a targetedmolecular weight, strategically chosen in order to optimize golf ballcharacteristics and performance on the green. Further, there is aparticular need for an inexpensively manufactured golf ball comprising arenewable polymer composition having both biodegradable features andtargeted notched Izod impact strength, polydispersity, flexural modulusstrength and/or tensile strength. Such a golf ball would possess desiredstiffness and impact durability and result in reduced backspin to thedriver, thereby improving distance and control on the green.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is therefore directed to an improved golf ball comprisinga renewable polymer composition comprising ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compounds and their functionalized derivatives andblends. In particular, the golf ball of the invention comprises a coreand a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprisesabout 10 wt % or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprising aUHMWPHA compound having the formula:

—OCR₁R₂(CR₃R₄)_(n)CO—

wherein n is an integer, and wherein R_(1,) R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ areselected from the group comprising saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbonradicals, halo- and hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals,halogen radicals; nitrogen-substituted radicals, oxygen-substitutedradicals, or hydrogen atoms. Such compositions provide improvedresiliency and impact durability during play. The ball travels a longerdistance from a driver swing, meanwhile maintaining controllabilitycloser to the green.

In one embodiment, the at least one of the core and the cover furthercomprises about 90 wt % or less of either a non renewable polymercomposition, a different renewable polymer composition, or blendthereof.

In the golf ball of the invention, two particularly synergisticstructural arrangements are simultaneously in place within the renewablepolymer composition to achieve high resiliency, sustained impactdurability, and soft feel. First, the long chain of the UHMWPHAcompound, characteristic of its ultra high molecular weight,beneficially serves to transfer load more effectively to the polymerbackbone by strengthening intermolecular interactions, resulting in atougher golf ball material with higher impact strength, etc. This occursfrom an increase in chain interactions such as Van der Waals attractionsand entanglements that come with increased chain length and tend to fixthe individual chains more strongly in position and resist deformationsand matrix breakup, both at higher stresses and higher temperatures.

Meanwhile, the above-enumerated desired golf ball characteristics arefurther enhanced or achieved where the UHMWPHA compound and the at leastone non-renewable polymer composition are associated, coupled and/orbonded via/by at least one of a dipole-dipole interaction, ion-dipoleinteraction, ion-ion interaction and hydrogen bonding with other golfball materials. In one embodiment, the UHMWPHA exhibits a bond energy inthe range of from about 150 to 250 KJ/mol when bonded with at least onenon-renewable polymer composition by dipole-dipole interactions. Inanother embodiment, the UHMWPHA exhibits a bond energy in the range offrom about 450 to 550 KJ/mol when bonded with at least one non-renewablepolymer composition by hydrogen bonding. In another embodiment, theUHMWPHA exhibits a bond energy in the range of from about 600 to 950KJ/mol when bonded with at least one non-renewable polymer compositionby ion-dipole or ion-ion interactions. The above bond energy maydetermined using any technique known in the art, including a calorimetrytechnique.

By non-limiting example, the UHMWPHA compounds are particularly suitablein golf ball compositions because they are capable of beingdipole-dipole coupled, ion-dipole coupled, ion-ion coupled and/orcoupled via hydrogen bonding with nonrenewable conventional golf ballcompositions. For example, these include, without limit, hard and softionomers, acid co-polymers and ter-polymers, polyurethanes, polyesterelastomers, polyamide elastomers, polyamides, and polyesters, polyureas,ABS, SAN, PMMA, thermoplastic vulcanized elastomers, maleic anhydride orglycidyl acrylate or methacrylate grafted polymers, polyphenyleneoxides, polycarbonates, block copolymers, alternate copolymers, epoxyresins etc. Alternatively, although the UHMWPHA is thermoplastic innature, a thermoset UHMWPHA composition may be formed by crosslinking itinto the composition as fill or by post cross-linking using chemical orradiation cross-linking techniques. In either case, a renewablecomposition material is produced that has two-ply strength—that is, notonly within the renewable polymer composition itself but also as betweenbiodegradable and non renewable materials.

Accordingly, this dual structural synergistic arrangement of theinvention within the renewable polymer composition of the golf ballitself and between it and the non-renewable material enables golf ballmanufacturers to inexpensively provide a biodegradable golf ball havinghigh resiliency, sustained impact durability, and soft feel.

The golf ball of the invention moreover may include a renewable polymercomposition comprising a targeted notched Izod impact strength,polydispersity, flexural modulus and/or tensile strength as disclosedmore fully herein. The renewable polymer composition not only providesbiodegradable characteristics to the resulting golf ball but alsoproduces a resulting golf ball with desired stiffness, reduced back spin(and therefore increased distance) and impact durability.

Izod impact refers to the kinetic energy that is necessary to initiatematerial fracturing and continue it to the point of breaking. Typically,a higher material notched Izod impact strength correlates to higherimpact durability. Notched Izod Impact is a single point test whichmeasures a material's ability to resist impact from a swinging pendulum.A notched side of the material, having been clamped into a pendulumimpact test fixture, is struck with a pendulum repeatedly until breakageof the material occurs. The specimen is notched in order to prevent thematerial's deformation upon impact with the pendulum. Sometimes, thematerial may be tested at a temperature which simulates the actualconditions under which the material will be used. ASTM D256 is one wellrecognized testing procedure. ASTM impact energy is expressed in J/m orft-lb/in. The standard L×W×D specimen is 64×12.7×3.2 mm (2.5×5×⅛ in.).Alternatively, a depth of 6.4 mm or 0.25 in. is sometimes preferredbecause it is sturdier. The depth just under the notch is 10.2 mm or 0.4in. Impact strength is calculated by dividing the impact energy, in J orft/lb, by the thickness of the sample. The test result is often theaverage of 5 samples.

In the golf ball of the invention, the renewable polymer composition maycomprise a notched Izod impact strength of about 0.5 ft-lbs/inch orgreater—that is, until no break. In another embodiment, the renewablepolymer composition may comprise a notched Izod impact strength of fromabout 1.0 ft-lbs/inch to about 18.0 ft-lbs/inch. In yet anotherembodiment, the renewable polymer composition may comprise a notchedIzod impact strength of from about 5.0 ft-lbs/inch to about 18.0ft-lbs/inch.

Alternatively, the renewable polymer composition may comprise an ultrahigh molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a firstnotched Izod impact strength Iz₁ and low to medium molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a second notched Izod impactstrength Iz₂ wherein the ratio of Iz₂ to Iz₁ is from about 0.03 to about10.0.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the renewable polymercomposition comprises the notched Izod impact strength at about 23° C.However, the notched Izod impact strength may be measured at atemperature of from about −40° C. to about 40° C.

Polydispersity is a measure of the distribution of molecular mass in amaterial sample. A polymer composition is polydisperse if its chainlengths vary over a range of molecular masses, thereby producing a broadrange of size, shape and mass characteristics. It is the ratio of weightaverage molecular weight to the number average molecular weight. Acomposition's polydispersity index will be low, or close to 1, if thecomposition contains similar sequences and number of monomers with welldefined, predictable structure. Polydispersity can be determined byseveral methods, including for example, Gel permeation chromatographyand light scattering measurements.

In the golf ball of the invention, the renewable polymer composition maycomprise in one embodiment a polydispersity of from about 1.0 to about4.0. In another embodiment, the renewable polymer composition maycomprise a polydispersity of from about 1.1 to about 3.0. In yet anotherembodiment, the renewable polymer composition may comprise apolydispersity of from about 1.2 to about 2.5.

Alternatively, the renewable polymer composition may comprise an ultrahigh molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a firstpolydispersity P₁ and low to medium molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a second polydispersity P₂ whereinthe ratio of P₂ to P₁ is from about 0.25 to about 2.0.

Flexural modulus is a measure of a material's tendency to bend comparedwith its resistance to bending. It defines the relationship betweenbending stress and the resulting strain—that is, the ratio of stress tostrain. Strain is the amount a material will deform when a stress isapplied. Elastic strain will disappear when the stress is removed.Plastic or yielding strain, on the other hand, results at high levels ofstress for a particular material, wherein permanent deformation occursso that the material will no longer return to its original shape. Theunits of measure for flexural modulus are pounds per square inch (psi)or Newtons per square meter, or pascals (Pa).

Flexural tests, such as ASTM D 790 are utilized to determine flexuralmodulus. In three point testing, a sample of specific shape anddimensions is subjected to force at three points. The material issupported on the bottom side near both ends and a force is exerted onthe top in the center of the sample. While the test is often conductedat ambient temperature conditions, sometimes the temperature is chosento simulate actual use conditions. Some materials, like rubber, willdeform a great deal before reaching plastic or yielding strain.

In one embodiment of the golf ball of the invention, the renewablepolymer composition may comprise a flexural modulus of from about 50,000psi to about 500,000 psi. In another embodiment, the renewable polymercomposition may comprise a flexural modulus of from about 75,000 psi toabout 475,000 psi. In yet another embodiment, the renewable polymercomposition may comprise a flexural modulus of from about 100,000 psi toabout 460,000 psi.

Alternatively, in the golf ball of the invention, the renewable polymercomposition may comprise an ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a first flexural modulus FM₁ and alow to medium molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate composition having asecond flexural modulus FM₂ wherein the ratio of FM₂ to FM₁ is fromabout 0.1 to about 1.

The tensile strength of a material is the maximum force that can beapplied to a material before it ceases to be “elastic”. A material isconsidered to be elastic as long as it will return to its original shapewhen the force is terminated. Once a material ceases to be elastic, itreaches its “yield tensile strength”, becoming “plastic”. That is, thework produced by the force applied is no longer stored in the materialas elastic energy but rather is now transformed into heat and energy fordeformation. This occurs until the material is deformed to such anextent that it reaches its “ultimate tensile strength”. Ultimate tensilestrength is the maximum stress a material can withstand before breaking.At this point, the material breaks into two pieces and stored elasticenergy within the material is suddenly released as noise, and/or heatand/or cracks. Herein, the term tensile strength shall refer to ultimatetensile strength. Tensile strength is measured in units of force perunit area, N/m² (Pa) or pounds per square inch lbft/in² (psi).

In one embodiment of the golf ball of the invention, the renewablepolymer composition may comprise a tensile strength of from about 2,000psi to about 6,000 psi. In another embodiment, the renewable polymercomposition may comprise a tensile strength of from about 2,200 psi toabout 5,000 psi. In yet another embodiment, the renewable polymercomposition may comprise a tensile strength of from about 2,300 psi toabout 4,000 psi.

Alternatively, the renewable polymer composition may comprise an ultrahigh molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a firsttensile strength TS₁ and a low to medium molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate composition having a second tensile strength TS₂wherein the ratio of TS₂ to TS₁ is from about 0.3 to about 1.3.

Knowing or determining any one of the notched Izod, polydispersity,flexural modulus or tensile strength of the renewable polymercomposition would not necessarily enable or provide a prediction as towhat the value would be for any of these other named properties withrespect to the renewable polymer composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventive golf ball including a renewable polymer composition maycomprise any type of ball construction known in the art. Such golf balldesigns include, for example, single-piece, two-piece, three-piece,four-piece, and five-piece designs so long as at least one layercomprises a renewable component composition prepared in accordance withthis invention. The core, intermediate, and/or cover portions of theball may be single or multi-layered.

The golf balls of this invention preferably include at least oneintermediate layer. As used herein, the term, “intermediate layer” meansa layer of the ball disposed between the core and cover. Theintermediate layer may be considered an outer core layer or inner coverlayer or any other layer disposed between the inner core and outer coverof the ball. The intermediate layer also may be referred to as a casingor mantle layer. The intermediate layer preferably has water vaporbarrier properties to prevent moisture from penetrating into the rubbercore. The ball may include one or more intermediate layers disposedbetween the inner core and outer cover.

The renewable resource component of the golf ball of the invention maybe disposed within any or all of the core, core layer(s), intermediatelayer(s) and cover layer(s) and associated, coupled and/or bonded withat least one non-renewable polymer composition by one of the followingmechanisms: dipole-dipole interaction, ion-dipole interaction, andhydrogen bonding. The UHMWPHA may further comprise at least one ultrahigh molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound selected, bynon-limiting example, from the group comprising homopolymers ofpolyhydroxyalkanoate and polyhydroxybutyrate; a copolymer ofhydroxybutyric acid and hydroxyvaleric acid; a copolymer of3-hydroxybutyric acid and 4-hydroxybutyric acid; polyhydroxyoctanoate; acopolymer of 4-hydroxybutyric and 4-hydroxyhexanoic acid; a copolymer of4-hydroxybutyric acid and 4-hydroxyoctanoic acid; a copolymer of3-hydroxyoctanoic acid with 3-hydroxybutryic acid; a copolymer of3-hydroxyhexanoic acid and 3-hydroxybutyric acid; a copolymer containinghydroxyoctonate groups randomly distributed through the polymer chainand combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoatecompound comprises a molecular weight of about 60,000 grams/mole orgreater. In another embodiment, the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound comprises a molecular weight of from about60,000 grams/mole to about 4,000,000 grams/mole. In yet anotherembodiment, the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoatecompound comprises a molecular weight of from about 100,000 to2,000,000. In still another embodiment, the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound may comprise a molecular weight of fromabout 250,000 to about 1,000,000 grams/mole.

The at least one of the core and the cover of the invention may comprisea hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C.

The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed about thecore and adjacent the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the coverand the intermediate layer comprises the renewable polymer composition.In this embodiment, the at least one of the core, the intermediate layerand the cover may comprise a hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about90 Shore C.

In one embodiment of the golf ball of the invention, the at least one ofthe core and the cover comprises about 5 wt % or greater of therenewable polymer composition. In another embodiment, the renewablepolymer composition comprises about 5 wt % or greater of the ultra highmolecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound. In yet anotherembodiment, the at least one of the core and the cover comprises about 5wt % or greater of the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoatecompound. In still another embodiment of the golf ball of the invention,the renewable polymer composition consists of 100 wt % of the ultra highmolecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound. Alternatively, therenewable polymer composition may also comprise less than 100 wt % ofthe ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound.

Furthermore, the mechanics and biocompatibility of UHMWPHA can also bechanged by blending, modifying the surface or combining it with otherpolymers, enzymes and inorganic materials, making it possible for awider range of golfers to meet their golf ball performance criteria,i.e. higher spin or lower spin on the golf course.

The ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound mayfurther comprise end chain functionalities selected from the groupcomprising vinyl, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, anhydride,maleate, malic acid, fumaric acid, acetate, hydroxy, amine, butyrate,propanoate, primary alcohol, secondary alcohol, tertiary alcohol, amide,and polyhydric alcohol to provide improved chemical compatibility withnon-PHA renewable and non-renewable polymers as well as to provide adesired golf ball performance.

The ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound may beformed from at least one of monomeric units and oligomeric unitsselected from the group comprising hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate,hydroxyhexanoate, hydroxyheptanoate, hydroxyoctanoate, hydroxynonanoate,hydroxydecanoate, hydroxyundecanoate, and hydroxydodecanoate and blendsthereof. In addition, the copolymers of PHA of the present inventionincludes both random, alternate and block polymers.

In one embodiment, R_(1,) R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ are substantially similar. Inanother embodiment, R₁, R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ are different. In yet anotherembodiment, R₁ is the same as at least one of R_(2,) R₃ and R_(4.) Instill another embodiment, R₂ is the same as at least one of R₁, R₃ andR₄. In still another embodiment, R₃ may be the same as at least one ofR₁, R_(2,) and R_(4.) Meanwhile, R₄ may be the same as at least one ofR₁, R_(2,) and R_(3.)

In one embodiment, where n may be 500 or greater (n≧500), golf balllayer compositions comprising PHAs have good mechanical properties suchas a tensile strength at break, an elongation at break and impactstrength so that the golf balls exhibit good impact durability duringits usage. Furthermore, when n is greater than 500, higher flexuralmodulus results and the golf ball will thereby exhibit a reduced backspin from a driver thereby enhancing its distance. This may be measuredaccording to ASTM D790-03, procedure B, for example.

Where at least the core comprises the renewable polymer composition withimproved resiliency and impact durability, the core may alternativelycomprise a surface hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 ShoreC, or from about 55 Shore C to about 85 Shore C, or even from about 60Shore C to about 80 Shore C. Where at least the cover comprises therenewable polymer composition, the cover may alternatively comprise asurface hardness of from about 60 Shore C to about 90 Shore C, or evenfrom about 65 Shore C to about 85 Shore C. Where at least anintermediate layer comprises the renewable polymer composition, theintermediate layer may alternatively comprise a surface hardness of from30 about Shore D to about 75 Shore D, or from about 35 Shore D to about70 Shore D, or even from about 40 Shore D to about 68 Shore D such thata golf ball has a low back spin-rate from a driver but still maintainsits controllability for a short game. In another embodiment, the corecomprises a first hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore Cand the cover comprises a second hardness of from about 60 Shore C toabout 95 Shore C wherein the ratio of the second hardness to the firsthardness is about 0.6 or greater, regardless as to which of the core orthe cover comprise the renewable polymer composition so that a golf ballprovides a increased distance and control.

In another embodiment, where at least the core comprises the renewablepolymer composition, the core may comprise a hardness of from about 30Shore D to about 60 Shore D. Where at least the cover comprises therenewable polymer composition, the cover may comprise a hardness of fromabout 40 Shore D to about 65 Shore D. In an embodiment which includes anintermediate layer, where at least the intermediate layer comprises therenewable polymer composition, the intermediate layer may comprise ahardness of from about 30 Shore D to about 75 Shore D. In anotherembodiment, the core comprises a first hardness of from about 10 Shore Dto about 50 Shore D and the cover comprises a second hardness of fromabout 30 Shore D to about 70 Shore D wherein the ratio of the secondhardness to the first hardness is about 3 or greater, regardless as towhich of the core or the cover comprise the renewable polymercomposition.

The ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound maycomprise an acid or ester group content of from about 2.5% by wt to 25%by wt.

The ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound may alsocomprise acid or ester groups wherein about 20 wt % or greater of theacid groups are neutralized by a cation source or about 20 wt % orgreater of the ester groups are saponified by an inorganic base so thatimproved scuff resistant and some resiliency can be achieved in theball. Alternatively, the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound may comprise acid or ester groups whereinabout 70 wt % or greater of the acid groups are neutralized or about 70wt % or greater of the ester groups are saponified to provide additionalboost in resiliency as well as soft and fast characteristics. In anotherembodiment, the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoatecompound may comprise acid or ester groups wherein from about 80 wt % toabout 100 wt % of the acid groups are neutralized or from about 80 wt %to about 100 wt % of the ester groups are saponified to improveresiliency and soft and fast characteristics.

The ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound maycomprise a melt flow modifier selected from the group comprising animalfats, plants, non-petroleum and petroleum based organic acids and theirsalts. The ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound maycomprise the melt flow modifier in an amount of about 10% by weight orgreater so that the compositions can provide improved processabilitysuch as enhanced melt flow to fill the golf ball layers uniformlywithout shifting the cores or intermediate layers. Alternatively, theultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound may comprisethe melt flow modifier in an amount of from about 10% by weight to about50% by weight. Such compositions also provide improvedbio-degradability.

The renewable polymer composition may include a cation selected from thegroup comprising Li, Na, K, Cs, Mg, Ca, Ba, Mn, Zn, Cs, Zr, Ti, W, andAl such that those compositions provide increased resiliency and scuffresistant due to a strong ionic interaction between the ionic moieties.Preferably, Li, Na, Mg and Zn cations are used in the present inventionto provide a balance golf ball performance such as a scuff resistant,resiliency and control due to a cation size and its ionic strength.

In one embodiment, the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoatecompound may comprise acid groups wherein about 70 wt % or less of theacid groups are neutralized by, for example, any of the above-disclosedcations. Alternatively, the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound may comprise acid groups wherein about 70wt % or greater of the acid groups are neutralized by, for example, anyof the above-disclosed cations.

In one embodiment, about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of the renewablepolymer composition is crosslinked to provide improved scuff resistancefor a short game when the balls were stuck using sharp grooved wedges.The cross-linking can be achieved in one case by reacting functionalizedPHAs such as hydroxyl or acid terminated PHAs with glycidyl acrylate ormethacrylate or maleic anhydride based homo and copolymers from anon-renewable source like a copolymer of ethylene-glycidyl acrylate ormaleic anhydride grafted ethylene-butene or hexene copolymer.

The at least one of the core and the cover further may comprise at leastone softening comonomer selected from the group comprising alkylacrylate, methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, and glycidyl methacrylate forfurther controllability of the golf ball on the green. The at least oneof the core and the cover may alternatively include a stiffening agentincluding a density adjusting filler selected from the group comprisingzinc oxide, barium sulfate, tungsten, tungsten oxide, tungsten carbide,glass spheres, carbon or glass reinforced polymers or composites, carbonnanotubes, and blends thereof to reduce a back spin-rate from the drivershot to achieve maximum golf ball distance. Furthermore, at least one ofthe core and the cover may alternatively include at least one nanofiller selected from the group comprising nano silicates, nano metallicoxides, nano metal powders, nano zinc oxides, nano carbon tubes, nanofullerens, polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxanes and blends thereof.

In one embodiment, the renewable polymer composition further comprisesan ester compatibilizer selected from the group comprising a glycidylester, a maleic ester and an oligomeric ester. The oligomeric ester mayinclude, for example, poly(1,3-butylene glycol-co-1,2-propylene glycoladipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(neopentylglycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated,poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipic acid) unterminated, poly(1,2-propyleneglycol adipic acid-co-phthahic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol,poly(neopentyl glycol adipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol,poly(1,2-propylene glycol adipic acid-co-phthalic acid) terminated with2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propylene glycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipicacid) terminated with 2 ethylhexanol, poly(1,3-butylene glycol adipicacid) terminated with mixed fatty acids, poly(1,2-propylene glycoladipic acid) terminated with 2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,2-propyleneglycol-co-1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid) terminated with2-ethylhexanol, poly(1,4-butylene glycol adipic acid), orpoly(1,4-butylene glycol-co-ethylene glycol adipic acid).

The golf ball may comprise a blended composition comprising therenewable polymer composition and at least one thermoplastic materialselected from the group comprising ethylene based ionomers, highlyneutralized polymers, polyester-ether elastomers, polyester-esterelastomers, polyether-amide elastomers, polyester-amide elastomers,polyurethane elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanized materials, EPDMrubber, EPR rubber, SEBS rubber, copolymers of ethylene-alkyl acrylates,copolymers of methacrylates, glycidyl acrylate copolymers, methacrylatecopolymers, maleic anhydride grafted homopolymers, maleic anhydridegrafted copolymers and polycaprolactone. In one embodiment, the blendedcomposition comprises from about 50 wt % to about 95 wt % of the atleast one thermoplastic material.

The renewable polymer composition may further comprise at least onerenewable resource selected from the group comprising lignin, crop oils,grains, plant derived glucose, yeast, fungi, vegetable oils, canolaoils, corn oils, flax, cellulose, fatty acids, animal fats, tallow oils,fish oils, wood resins, tannis, and polysaccharides to further enhancethe bio-degradability and some instances the processability of theUHMWPHA to fill a thin layer of the golf ball to minimize the CoR lossand cost. In another embodiment, the different renewable polymercomposition comprises at least one of these renewable resources.

In one embodiment, the renewable polymer composition further comprisesat least one renewable resource selected from the group comprising soyprotein, starch, polyesters, polylactic acids, triglycerides, homo- andcopolymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates. In another embodiment, thedifferent renewable polymer composition comprises at least one of theserenewable resources in order to provide improved bio-degradability andmelt processability along with desired ball performance.

The golf ball of the present invention may also comprise non renewablepolymeric compositions including, for example, a synthetic polymerselected from homo- and copolymers of polyolefin, polyester,polycarbonate, polyamide, polyurethane, polyacrylic, polyimide, epoxyand combinations thereof.

The golf ball of the invention may also comprise an intermediate layerdisposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of thecore, the cover and the intermediate layer comprises the renewablepolymer composition. Alternatively, the core may comprise an inner corelayer and an outer core layer wherein the outer core layer comprises therenewable polymer composition. In one embodiment of the golf ball of theinvention, the cover comprises an inner cover and an outer cover and theinner cover comprises renewable polymer composition. However, theseexamples are not limiting as to which component/layer of the golf ballmay comprise the renewable polymer composition or as to the number ofgolf ball components and/or layers which may comprise the renewablepolymer composition.

The cores in the golf balls of this invention may be solid, semi-solid,hollow, fluid-filled, or powder-filled. Typically, the cores are solidand made from rubber compositions containing a base rubber, free-radicalinitiator agent, cross-linking co-agent, fillers and 5 to 25 wt % of arenewable component of the present invention. The addition of arenewable component provides some biodegradable characteristics alongwith increased toughness and improved golf ball performance likedistance and control. The base rubber may be selected, for example, frompolybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, natural rubber,ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber,styrene-butadiene rubber, and combinations of two or more thereof. Apreferred base rubber is polybutadiene.

Examples of desirable polybutadiene rubbers include BUNA® CB22 and BUNA®CB23, TAKTENE® 1203G1, 220, 221, and PETROFLEX® BRNd-40, commerciallyavailable from LANXESS Corporation; BR-1220 available from BSTElastomers Co. LTD; UBEPOL® 360L and UBEPOL® 150L and UBEPOL-BR rubbers,commercially available from UBE Industries, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan; KINEX®7245 and KINEX® 7265, commercially available from Goodyear of Akron,Ohio; SE BR-1220, commercially available from Dow Chemical Company;Europrene® NEOCIS® BR 40 and BR 60, commercially available from PolimeriEuropa; and BR 01, BR 730, BR 735, BR 11, and BR 51, commerciallyavailable from Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd; and KARBOCHEM® ND40,ND45, and ND60, commercially available from Karbochem.

Another preferred base rubber is polybutadiene optionally mixed with oneor more elastomers such as polyisoprene rubber, natural rubber, ethylenepropylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrene-butadienerubber, polystyrene elastomers, polyethylene elastomers, polyurethaneelastomers, polyurea elastomers, acrylate rubbers, polyoctenamers,metallocene-catalyzed elastomers, and plastomers. As discussed furtherbelow, highly neutralized acid copolymers (HNPs), as known in the art,also can be used to form the core layer which is blended with 5 to 25 wt% of a renewable component of the present invention. Such compositionswill provide increased flexural modulus and toughness thereby improvingthe golf ball's performance including its impact durability along withsome biodegradable characteristics for the environment.

The base rubber typically is mixed with at least one reactivecross-linking co-agent to enhance the hardness of the rubbercomposition. Suitable co-agents include, but are not limited to,unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated vinyl compounds. Apreferred unsaturated vinyl is trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate. Therubber composition is cured using a conventional curing process.Suitable curing processes include, for example, peroxide curing, sulfurcuring, high-energy radiation, and combinations thereof. In oneembodiment, the base rubber is peroxide cured. Organic peroxidessuitable as free-radical initiators include, for example, dicumylperoxide; n-butyl-4,4-di(t-butylperoxy)valerate;1,1-di(t-butylperoxy)3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane;2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane; di-t-butyl peroxide; di-t-amylperoxide; t-butyl peroxide; t-butyl cumyl peroxide;2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexyne-3;di(2-t-butyl-peroxyisopropyl)benzene; dilauroyl peroxide; dibenzoylperoxide; t-butyl hydroperoxide; and combinations thereof. Cross-linkingagents are used to cross-link at least a portion of the polymer chainsin the composition. Suitable cross-linking agents include, for example,metal salts of unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 3 to 8 carbonatoms; unsaturated vinyl compounds and polyfunctional monomers (forexample, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate); phenylene bismaleimide;and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the cross-linkingagent is selected from zinc salts of acrylates, diacrylates,methacrylates, and dimethacrylates. In another particular embodiment,the cross-linking agent is zinc diacrylate (“ZDA”). Commerciallyavailable zinc diacrylates include those selected from RocklandReact-Rite and Sartomer.

The base rubber may also comprise high or medium Mooney viscosityrubber, or blends thereof. The measurement of Mooney viscosity isdefined according to ASTM D-1646. The Mooney viscosity range ispreferably greater than about 30, more preferably in the range fromabout 35 to about 75 and more preferably in the range from about 40 toabout 60. Polybutadiene rubber with higher Mooney viscosity may also beused, so long as the viscosity of the polybutadiene does not reach alevel where the high viscosity polybutadiene clogs or otherwiseadversely interferes with the manufacturing machinery. It iscontemplated that polybutadiene with viscosity less than about 75 Mooneycan be used with the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, golf ball cores made withmid- to high-Mooney viscosity polybutadiene material exhibit increasedresiliency (and, therefore, distance) without increasing the hardness ofthe ball.

Commercial sources of suitable mid- to high-Mooney viscositypolybutadiene include Lanxess Buna CB23 (Nd-catalyzed), which has aMooney viscosity of around 50 and is a highly linear polybutadiene, andDow SE BR-1220 (Co-catalyzed). If desired, the polybutadiene can also bemixed with other elastomers known in the art, such as otherpolybutadiene rubbers, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, and/orisoprene rubber in order to further modify the properties of the core.When a mixture of elastomers is used, the amounts of other constituentsin the core composition are typically based on 100 parts by weight ofthe total elastomer mixture.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) many also be used to modify theproperties of the core layers, or the uncured core layer stock byblending with the base thermoset rubber. These TPEs include natural orsynthetic balata, or high trans-polyisoprene, high trans-polybutadiene,or any styrenic block copolymer, such as styrene ethylene butadienestyrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, etc., a metallocene or othersingle-site catalyzed polyolefin such as ethylene-octene, orethylene-butene, or thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), includingcopolymers, e.g. with silicone. Other suitable TPEs for blending withthe thermoset rubbers of the present invention include PEBAX®, which isbelieved to comprise polyether amide copolymers, HYTREL®, which isbelieved to comprise polyether ester copolymers, thermoplastic urethane,and KRATON®, which is believed to comprise styrenic block copolymerselastomers. Any of the TPEs or TPUs above may also contain functionalitysuitable for grafting, including maleic acid or maleic anhydride. Any ofthe Thermoplastic Vulcanized Rubbers (TPV) such as Santoprene® orVibram® or ETPV® can be used along with a present invention. In oneembodiment, the TPV has a thermoplastic as a continuous phase and across-linked rubber particulate as a dispersed (or discontinuous) phase.In another embodiment, the TPV has a cross-linked phase as a continuousphase and a thermoplastic as a dispersed (or discontinuous) phase toprovide reduced loss in elasticity in order to improve the resiliency ofthe golf ball.

The rubber compositions also may contain “soft and fast” agents such asa halogenated organosulfur, organic disulfide, or inorganic disulfidecompounds. Particularly suitable halogenated organosulfur compoundsinclude, but are not limited to, halogenated thiophenols. Preferredorganic sulfur compounds include, but not limited to,pentachlorothiophenol (“PCTP”) and a salt of PCTP. A preferred salt ofPCTP is ZnPCTP. A suitable PCTP is sold by the Struktol Company (Stow,Ohio) under the tradename, A95. ZnPCTP is commercially available fromEchinaChem (San Francisco, Calif.). These compounds also may function ascis-to-trans catalysts to convert some cis-1,4 bonds in thepolybutadiene to trans-1,4 bonds. Antioxidants also may be added to therubber compositions to prevent the breakdown of the elastomers. Otheringredients such as accelerators (for example, tetra methylthiuram),processing aids, dyes and pigments, wetting agents, surfactants,plasticizers, as well as other additives known in the art may be addedto the rubber composition.

The core may be formed by mixing and forming the rubber compositionusing conventional techniques. These cores can be used to make finishedgolf balls by surrounding the core with outer core layer(s),intermediate layer(s), and/or cover materials as discussed furtherbelow. In another embodiment, the cores can be formed using highlyneutralized polymer (HNP) compositions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,756,436, 7,030,192, 7,402,629, and 7,517,289. The cores from thehighly neutralized polymer compositions can be further cross-linkedusing any free-radical initiation sources including radiation sourcessuch as gamma or electron beam as well as chemical sources such asperoxides and the like.

The core may contain sections having the same hardness or differenthardness levels. That is, there can be uniform hardness throughout thedifferent sections of the core or there can be hardness gradients acrossthe layers. For example, in single cores, there may be a hard-to-softgradient (a “positive” gradient) from the surface of the core to thegeometric center of the core. In other instances, the there may be asoft-to-hard gradient (a “negative” gradient) or zero hardness gradientfrom the core's surface to the core's center. For dual core golf balls,the inner core layer may have a surface hardness that is less than thegeometric center hardness to define a first “negative” gradient. Asdiscussed above, an outer core layer may be formed around the inner corelayer, and the outer core layer may have an outer surface hardness lessthan its inner surface hardness to define a second “negative” gradient.In other versions, the hardness gradients from surface to center may behard-to-soft (“positive”), or soft-to-hard (“negative”), or acombination of both gradients. In still other versions the hardnessgradients from surface to center may be “zero” (that is, the hardnessvalues are substantially the same.) Methods for making cores havingpositive, negative, and zero hardness gradients are known in the art asdescribed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,537,530; 7,537,529;7,427,242; and 7,410,429, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Golf balls made in accordance with this invention can be of any size,although the USGA requires that golf balls used in competition have adiameter of at least 1.68 inches and a weight of no greater than 1.62ounces. For play outside of USGA competition, the golf balls can havesmaller diameters and be heavier.

The renewable component composition of this invention can be used tomake the outer core, intermediate layer, inner cover, and/or outercover. In some instances, a traditional thermoplastic or thermosettingcomposition may be used to make one layer and the renewable componentcomposition may be used to make a different layer of the golf balldepending upon the desired ball construction playing performanceproperties. If a conventional thermoplastic or thermosetting compositionis used in one layer (and the renewable component composition used in adifferent layer), then a wide variety of thermoplastic or thermosettingmaterials can be employed. These materials include for example,olefin-based copolymer ionomer resins (for example, Surlyn® ionomerresins and DuPont® HPF 1000 and HPF 2000, commercially available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Iotek® ionomers, commerciallyavailable from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Amplify® IO ionomers ofethylene acrylic acid copolymers, commercially available from The DowChemical Company; and Clarix® ionomer resins, commercially availablefrom A. Schulman Inc.); polyurethanes; polyureas; copolymers and hybridsof polyurethane and polyurea; polyethylene, including, for example, lowdensity polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and high densitypolyethylene; polypropylene; rubber-toughened olefin polymers; acidcopolymers, for example, poly(meth)acrylic acid, which do not becomepart of an ionomeric copolymer; plastomers; flexomers;styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers;styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymers; dynamicallyvulcanized elastomers; copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetates;copolymers of ethylene and methyl acrylates; polyvinyl chloride resins;polyamides, poly(amide-ester) elastomers, and graft copolymers ofionomer and polyamide including, for example, Pebax® thermoplasticpolyether block amides, commercially available from Arkema Inc;cross-linked trans-polyisoprene and blends thereof polyester-basedthermoplastic elastomers, such as Hytrel®, commercially available fromE. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; polyurethane-based thermoplasticelastomers, such as Elastollan®, commercially available from BASF;synthetic or natural vulcanized rubber; and combinations thereof.

While the inventive golf ball may be formed from a variety of differingand conventional materials for the intermediate layer(s), inner coverlayer(s) and/or outer cover layer(s), preferred cover materials include,but are not limited to:

(1) Polyurethanes, such as those prepared from polyols or polyamines anddiisocyanates or polyisocyanates and/or their prepolymers, and thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,334,673 and 6,506,851;

(2) Polyureas, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,870 and6,835,794; and

(3) Polyurethane-urea hybrids, blends or copolymers comprising urethaneor urea segments.

Suitable polyurethane compositions comprise a reaction product of atleast one polyisocyanate and at least one curing agent. The curing agentcan include, for example, one or more polyamines, one or more polyols,or a combination thereof. The polyisocyanate can be combined with one ormore polyols to form a prepolymer, which is then combined with the atleast one curing agent. Thus, the polyols described herein are suitablefor use in one or both components of the polyurethane material, i.e. ,as part of a prepolymer and in the curing agent. Suitable polyurethanesare described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0176523,which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Any polyisocyanate available to one of ordinary skill in the art issuitable for use according to the invention. Exemplary polyisocyanatesinclude, but are not limited to, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate(MDI); polymeric MDI; carbodiimide-modified liquid MDI;4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI); p-phenylene diisocyanate(PPDI); m-phenylene diisocyanate (MPDI); toluene diisocyanate (TDI);3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenylene diisocyanate; isophoronediisocyanate;1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI); naphthalene diisocyanate; xylenediisocyanate; p-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate; m-tetramethylxylenediisocyanate; ethylene diisocyanate; propylene-1,2-diisocyanate;tetramethylene-1,4-diisocyanate; cyclohexyl diisocyanate;dodecane-1,12-diisocyanate; cyclobutane-1,3-diisocyanate;cyclohexane-1,3-diisocyanate; cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate;1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane; methylcyclohexylene diisocyanate; triisocyanate of HDI; triisocyanate of2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane diisocyanate; tetracene diisocyanate;napthalene diisocyanate; anthracene diisocyanate; isocyanurate oftoluene diisocyanate; uretdione of hexamethylene diisocyanate; andmixtures thereof. Polyisocyanates are known to those of ordinary skillin the art as having more than one isocyanate group, e.g.,di-isocyanate, tri-isocyanate, and tetra-isocyanate. Preferably, thepolyisocyanate includes MDI, PPDI, TDI, or a mixture thereof, and morepreferably, the polyisocyanate includes MDI. It should be understoodthat, as used herein, the term MDI includes 4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate, polymeric MDI, carbodiimide-modified liquid MDI, andmixtures thereof and, additionally, that the diisocyanate employed maybe “low free monomer,” understood by one of ordinary skill in the art tohave lower levels of “free” monomer isocyanate groups, typically lessthan about 0.1% free monomer isocyanate groups. Examples of “low freemonomer” diisocyanates include, but are not limited to Low Free MonomerMDI, Low Free Monomer TDI, and Low Free Monomer PPDI.

Any polyol available to one of ordinary skill in the art is suitable foruse according to the invention. Exemplary polyols include, but are notlimited to, polyether polyols, hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene(including partially/fully hydrogenated derivatives), polyester polyols,polycaprolactone polyols, and polycarbonate polyols. In one preferredembodiment, the polyol includes polyether polyol. Examples include, butare not limited to, polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG),polyethylene propylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol, and mixturesthereof. The hydrocarbon chain can have saturated or unsaturated bondsand substituted or unsubstituted aromatic and cyclic groups. Preferably,the polyol of the present invention includes PTMEG.

In another embodiment, polyester polyols are included in thepolyurethane material. Suitable polyester polyols include, but are notlimited to, polyethylene adipate glycol; polybutylene adipate glycol;polyethylene propylene adipate glycol; o-phthalate-1,6-hexanediol;poly(hexamethylene adipate) glycol; and mixtures thereof. Thehydrocarbon chain can have saturated or unsaturated bonds, orsubstituted or unsubstituted aromatic and cyclic groups.

In another embodiment, polycaprolactone polyols are included in thematerials of the invention. Suitable polycaprolactone polyols include,but are not limited to, 1,6-hexanediol-initiated polycaprolactone,diethylene glycol initiated polycaprolactone, trimethylol propaneinitiated polycaprolactone, neopentyl glycol initiated polycaprolactone,1,4-butanediol-initiated polycaprolactone, and mixtures thereof. Thehydrocarbon chain can have saturated or unsaturated bonds, orsubstituted or unsubstituted aromatic and cyclic groups.

In yet another embodiment, polycarbonate polyols are included in thepolyurethane material of the invention. Suitable polycarbonates include,but are not limited to, polyphthalate carbonate and poly(hexamethylenecarbonate)glycol. The hydrocarbon chain can have saturated orunsaturated bonds, or substituted or unsubstituted aromatic and cyclicgroups. In one embodiment, the molecular weight of the polyol is fromabout 200 to about 4000.

Polyamine curatives are also suitable for use in the polyurethanecomposition of the invention and have been found to improve cut, shear,and impact resistance of the resultant balls. Preferred polyaminecuratives include, but are not limited to,3,5-dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine and isomers thereof;3,5-diethyltoluene-2,4-diamine and isomers thereof, such as3,5-diethyltoluene-2,6-diamine;4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-diphenylmethane;1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene, 4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline);4,4′-methylene-bis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline);polytetramethyleneoxide-di-p-aminobenzoate; N,N′-dialkyldiamino diphenylmethane; p,p′-methylene dianiline; m-phenylenediamine;4,4′-methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline);4,4′-methylene-bis-(2,6-diethylaniline);4,4′-methylene-bis-(2,3-dichloroaniline);4,4′-diamino-3,3′-diethyl-5,5′-dimethyl diphenylmethane;2,2′,3,3′-tetrachloro diamino diphenylmethane; trimethylene glycoldi-p-aminobenzoate; and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the curing agentof the present invention includes 3,5-dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamineand isomers thereof, such as ETHACURE® 300, commercially available fromAlbermarle Corporation of Baton Rouge, La. Suitable polyamine curatives,which include both primary and secondary amines, preferably havemolecular weights ranging from about 64 to about 2000.

At least one of a diol, triol, tetraol, or hydroxy-terminated curativesmay be added to the aforementioned polyurethane composition. Suitablediol, triol, and tetraol groups include ethylene glycol; diethyleneglycol; polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; polypropylene glycol;lower molecular weight polytetramethylene ether glycol;1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene;1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzene;1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}benzene; 1,4-butanediol;1,5-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; resorcinol-di-(β-hydroxyethyl)ether;hydroquinone-di-(β-hydroxyethyl)ether; and mixtures thereof. Preferredhydroxy-terminated curatives include 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene;1,3-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzene;1,3-bis-{2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}benzene; 1,4-butanediol,and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the hydroxy-terminated curatives havemolecular weights ranging from about 48 to 2000. It should be understoodthat molecular weight, as used herein, is the absolute weight averagemolecular weight and would be understood as such by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

Both the hydroxy-terminated and amine curatives can include one or moresaturated, unsaturated, aromatic, and cyclic groups. Additionally, thehydroxy-terminated and amine curatives can include one or more halogengroups. The polyurethane composition can be formed with a blend ormixture of curing agents. If desired, however, the polyurethanecomposition may be formed with a single curing agent.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, saturatedpolyurethanes are used to form one or more of the cover layers,preferably the outer cover layer, and may be selected from among bothcastable thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

Thermosetting polyurethanes or polyureas are suitable for the outercover layers of the golf balls of the invention.

Additionally, polyurethane can be replaced with or blended with apolyurea material. Polyureas are distinctly different from polyurethanecompositions, but also result in desirable aerodynamic and aestheticcharacteristics when used in golf ball components. The polyurea-basedcompositions are preferably saturated in nature.

The polyether amine may be blended with additional polyols to formulatecopolymers that are reacted with excess isocyanate to form the polyureaprepolymer. In one embodiment, less than about 30 percent polyol byweight of the copolymer is blended with the saturated polyether amine.In another embodiment, less than about 20 percent polyol by weight ofthe copolymer, preferably less than about 15 percent by weight of thecopolymer, is blended with the polyether amine. The polyols listed abovewith respect to the polyurethane prepolymer, e.g., polyether polyols,polycaprolactone polyols, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols,hydrocarbon polyols, other polyols, and mixtures thereof, are alsosuitable for blending with the polyether amine. The molecular weight ofthese polymers may be from about 200 to about 4000, but also may be fromabout 1000 to about 3000, and more preferably are from about 1500 toabout 2500.

The polyurea composition can be formed by crosslinking a polyureaprepolymer with a single curing agent or a blend of curing agents. Thecuring agent of the invention is preferably an amine-terminated curingagent, more preferably a secondary diamine curing agent so that thecomposition contains only urea linkages. In one embodiment, theamine-terminated curing agent may have a molecular weight of about 64 orgreater. In another embodiment, the molecular weight of the amine-curingagent is about 2000 or less. As discussed above, certainamine-terminated curing agents may be modified with a compatibleamine-terminated freezing point depressing agent or mixture ofcompatible freezing point depressing agents

Suitable amine-terminated curing agents include, but are not limited to,ethylene diamine; hexamethylene diamine; 1-methyl-2,6-cyclohexyldiamine; tetrahydroxypropylene ethylene diamine; 2,2,4- and2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine;4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane;1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane;1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; derivatives of4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethanediamine; 1,4-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine);1,3-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); diethylene glycoldi-(aminopropyl)ether; 2-methylpentamethylene-diamine;diaminocyclohexane; diethylene triamine; triethylene tetramine;tetraethylene pentamine; propylene diamine; 1,3-diaminopropane;dimethylamino propylamine; diethylamino propylamine; dipropylenetriamine; imido-bis-propylamine; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine;triethanolamine; monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine;isophoronediamine; 4,4′-methylenebis-(2-chloro aniline);3,5;dimethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine;3,5-dimethylthio-2,6-toluenediamine; 3,5-diethylthio-2,4-toluenediamine;3,5;diethylthio-2,6-toluenediamine;4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-diphenylmethane and derivatives thereof;1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene; 1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-benzene;N,N′-dialkylamino-diphenylmethane;N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylene diamine;trimethyleneglycol-di-p-aminobenzoate;polytetramethyleneoxide-di-p-aminobenzoate;4,4′-methylenebis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethyleneaniline);4,4′-methylenebis-(2,6-diethylaniline); meta-phenylenediamine;paraphenylenediamine; and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, theamine-terminated curing agent is4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane.

Suitable saturated amine-terminated curing agents include, but are notlimited to, ethylene diamine; hexamethylene diamine;1-methyl-2,6-cyclohexyl diamine; tetrahydroxypropylene ethylene diamine;2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine;4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane;1,4-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane;1,2-bis-(sec-butylamino)-cyclohexane; derivatives of4,4′-bis-(sec-butylamino)-dicyclohexylmethane; 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethanediamine; 4,4′-methylenebis-(2,6-diethylaminocyclohexane;1,4-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine); 1,3-cyclohexane-bis-(methylamine);diethylene glycol di-(aminopropyl)ether; 2-methylpentamethylenediamine;diaminocyclohexane; diethylene triamine; triethylene tetramine;tetraethylene pentamine; propylene diamine; 1,3-diaminopropane;dimethylamino propylamine; diethylamino propylamine;imido-bis-propylamine; monoethanolamine, diethanolamine;triethanolamine; monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine;isophoronediamine; triisopropanolamine; and mixtures thereof. Inaddition, any of the polyether amines listed above may be used as curingagents to react with the polyurea prepolymers.

Alternatively, other suitable polymers include partially or fullyneutralized ionomer, metallocene, or other single-site catalyzedpolymer, polyester, polyamide, non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer,copolyether-esters, copolyether-amides, polycarbonate, polybutadiene,polyisoprene, polystryrene block copolymers (such asstyrene-butadiene-styrene), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene,styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, and the like, and blends thereof.

Cover layers of the inventive golf ball may also be formed fromionomeric polymers, preferably highly-neutralized ionomers (HNP). In apreferred embodiment, at least one intermediate layer of the golf ballis formed from an HNP material or a blend of HNP materials. The acidmoieties of the HNP's, typically ethylene-based ionomers, are preferablyneutralized greater than about 70%, more preferably greater than about90%, and most preferably at least about 100%. The HNP's can be also beblended with a second polymer component, which, if containing an acidgroup, may be neutralized in a conventional manner, by the organic fattyacids of the present invention, or both. The second polymer component,which may be partially or fully neutralized, preferably comprisesionomeric copolymers and terpolymers, ionomer precursors,thermoplastics, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes,polyureas, thermoplastic elastomers, polybutadiene rubber, balata,metallocene-catalyzed polymers (grafted and non-grafted), single-sitepolymers, high-crystalline acid polymers, cationic ionomers, and thelike. HNP polymers typically have a material hardness of between about20 and about 80 Shore D, and a flexural modulus of between about 3,000psi and about 200,000 psi.

In one embodiment of the present invention the HNP's are ionomers and/ortheir acid precursors that are preferably neutralized, either filly orpartially, with organic acid copolymers or the salts thereof. The acidcopolymers are preferably a-olefin, such as ethylene, C₃₋₈α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic andmethacrylic acid, copolymers. They may optionally contain a softeningmonomer, such as alkyl acrylate and alkyl methacrylate, wherein thealkyl groups have from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

The acid copolymers can be described as E/X/Y copolymers where E isethylene, X is an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and Yis a softening comonomer. In a preferred embodiment, X is acrylic ormethacrylic acid and Y is a C₁₋₈ alkyl acrylate or methacrylate ester. Xis preferably present in an amount from about 1 to about 35 weightpercent of the polymer, more preferably from about 5 to about 30 weightpercent of the polymer, and most preferably from about 10 to about 20weight percent of the polymer. Y is preferably present in an amount fromabout 0 to about 50 weight percent of the polymer, more preferably fromabout 5 to about 25 weight percent of the polymer, and most preferablyfrom about 10 to about 20 weight percent of the polymer.

Specific acid-containing ethylene copolymers include, but are notlimited to, ethylene/acrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate, ethylene/methacrylicacid/n-butyl acrylate, ethylene/methacrylic acid/iso-butyl acrylate,ethylene/acrylic acid/iso-butyl acrylate, ethylene/methacrylicacid/n-butyl methacrylate, ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl methacrylate,ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate, ethylene/methacrylic acid/methylacrylate, ethylene/methacrylic acid/methyl methacrylate, andethylene/acrylic acid/n-butyl methacrylate. Preferred acid-containingethylene copolymers include, ethylene/methacrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate,ethylene/acrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate, ethylene/methacrylic acid/methylacrylate, ethylene/acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate, ethylene/methacrylicacid/ethyl acrylate, and ethylene/acrylic acid/methyl acrylatecopolymers. The most preferred acid-containing ethylene copolymers are,ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/n-butyl, acrylate, ethylene/(meth)acrylicacid/ethyl acrylate, and ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/methyl acrylatecopolymers.

Ionomers are typically neutralized with a metal cation, such as Li, Na,Mg, K, Ca, or Zn. It has been found that by adding sufficient organicacid or salt of organic acid, along with a suitable base, to the acidcopolymer or ionomer, however, the ionomer can be neutralized, withoutlosing processability, to a level much greater than for a metal cation.Preferably, the acid moieties are neutralized greater than about 80%,preferably from 90-100%, most preferably 100% without losingprocessability. This accomplished by melt-blending an ethyleneα,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer, for example,with an organic acid or a salt of organic acid, and adding a sufficientamount of a cation source to increase the level of neutralization of allthe acid moieties (including those in the acid copolymer and in theorganic acid) to greater than 90%, (preferably greater than 100%).

The organic acids of the present invention are aliphatic, mono- ormulti-functional (saturated, unsaturated, or multi-unsaturated) organicacids. Salts of these organic acids may also be employed. The salts oforganic acids of the present invention include the salts of barium,lithium, sodium, zinc, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, potassium,strontium, titanium, tungsten, magnesium, cesium, iron, nickel, silver,aluminum, tin, or calcium, salts of fatty acids, particularly stearic,behenic, erucic, oleic, linoelic or dimerized derivatives thereof. It ispreferred that the organic acids and salts of the present invention berelatively non-migratory (they do not bloom to the surface of thepolymer under ambient temperatures) and non-volatile (they do notvolatilize at temperatures required for melt-blending).

The ionomers of the invention may also be more conventional ionomers,i.e., partially-neutralized with metal cations. The acid moiety in theacid copolymer is neutralized about 1 to about 90%, preferably at leastabout 20 to about 75%, and more preferably at least about 40 to about70%, to form an ionomer, by a cation such as lithium, sodium, potassium,magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, tin, zinc, aluminum, or a mixturethereof.

A moisture vapor barrier layer, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,632,147; 6,932,720; 7,004,854; and 7,182,702, all of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety, are optionallyemployed between the cover layer and the core. The moisture barrierlayer may be disposed between the outer core layer and the cover layer.The moisture vapor barrier protects the inner and outer cores fromdegradation due to exposure to moisture, for example water, and extendsthe usable life of the golf ball. In one embodiment, the moisturebarrier layer comprises a UHMWPHA as defined and described herein. Themoisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer isselected to be less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of thecover layer. The moisture barrier layer has a specific gravity of fromabout 1.1 to about 1.2 and a thickness of less than about 0.03 inches.Other suitable materials for the moisture barrier layer include acombination of a styrene block copolymer and a flaked metal, for examplealuminum flake.

The UHMWPHAs of the inventive composition may also be foamed using anyfoaming technique known in the art to provide a softer feel forplayability.

The renewable component composition constituting the layer(s) of thegolf ball may contain additives, ingredients, and other materials inamounts that do not detract from the properties of the finalcomposition. These additive materials include, but are not limited to,activators such as calcium or magnesium oxide; fatty acids such asstearic acid and salts thereof; fillers and reinforcing agents such asorganic or inorganic particles, for example, clays, talc, calcium,magnesium carbonate, silica, aluminum silicates zeolites, powderedmetals, and organic or inorganic fibers, plasticizers such as dialkylesters of dicarboxylic acids; surfactants; softeners; tackifiers; waxes;ultraviolet (UV) light absorbers and stabilizers; antioxidants; opticalbrighteners; whitening agents such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide;dyes and pigments; processing aids; release agents; and wetting agents.These compositions provide improved melt processability, a balance ofball performance.

The renewable component of this invention may be blended withnon-ionomeric and olefin-based ionomeric polymers to form thecomposition that will be used to make the golf ball layer. Examples ofnon-ionomeric polymers include vinyl resins, polyolefins including thoseproduced using a single-site catalyst or a metallocene catalyst,polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides, polyphenylenes, polycarbonates,polyesters, polyacrylates, engineering thermoplastics, and the like.

Olefin-based ionomers, such as ethylene-based copolymers, normallyinclude an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as methacrylic acid,acrylic acid, or maleic acid. Other possible carboxylic acid groupsinclude, for example, crotonic, maleic, fumaric, and itaconic acid. “Lowacid” and “high acid” olefin-based ionomers, as well as blends of suchionomers, may be used. In general, low acid ionomers are considered tobe those containing 16 wt. % or less of carboxylic acid, whereas highacid ionomers are considered to be those containing greater than 16 wt.% of carboxylic acid. The acidic group in the olefin-based ioniccopolymer is partially or totally neutralized with metal ions such aszinc, sodium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, nickel,chromium, copper, or a combination thereof. For example, ionomericresins having carboxylic acid groups that are neutralized from about 10percent to about 100 percent may be used. In one embodiment, the acidgroups are partially neutralized. That is, the neutralization level isfrom 10 to 80%, more preferably 20 to 70%, and most preferably 30 to50%. In another embodiment, the acid groups are highly or fullyneutralized. Or, the neutralization level may be from about 80 to 100%,more preferably 90 to 100%, and most preferably 95 to 100%. The blendmay contain about 5 to about 30% by weight of the renewable componentcomposition and about 95 to about 70% by weight of a partially, highly,or fully-neutralized olefin-based ionomeric copolymer. Theabove-mentioned blends may contain one or more suitable compatibilizerssuch as glycidyl acrylate or glycidyl methacrylate or maleic anhydridecontaining-polymers.

In the present invention, the surface hardness of a core is obtainedfrom the average of a number of measurements taken from opposinghemispheres of a core, taking care to avoid making measurements on theparting line of the core or on surface defects, such as holes orprotrusions. Hardness measurements are made pursuant to ASTM D-2240“Indentation Hardness of Rubber and Plastic by Means of a Durometer.”Because of the curved surface of a core, care must be taken to insurethat the core is centered under the durometer indentor before a surfacehardness reading is obtained. A calibrated, digital durometer, capableof reading to 0.1 hardness units is used for all hardness measurementsand is set to take hardness readings at 1 second after the maximumreading is obtained. The digital durometer must be attached to, and itsfoot made parallel to, the base of an automatic stand, such that theweight on the durometer and attack rate conform to ASTM D-2240.

To prepare a core for hardness gradient measurements, the core is gentlypressed into a hemispherical holder having an internal diameterapproximately slightly smaller than the diameter of the core, such thatthe core is held in place in the hemispherical portion of the holderwhile concurrently leaving the geometric central plane of the coreexposed. The core is secured in the holder by friction, such that itwill not move during the cutting and grinding steps, but the friction isnot so excessive that distortion of the natural shape of the core wouldresult. The core is secured such that the parting line of the core isroughly parallel to the top of the holder. The diameter of the core ismeasured 90 degrees to this orientation prior to securing. A measurementis also made from the bottom of the holder to the top of the core toprovide a reference point for future calculations. A rough cut, madeslightly above the exposed geometric center of the core using a band sawor other appropriate cutting tool, making sure that the core does notmove in the holder during this step. The remainder of the core, still inthe holder, is secured to the base plate of a surface grinding machine.The exposed ‘rough’ core surface is ground to a smooth, flat surface,revealing the geometric center of the core, which can be verified bymeasuring the height of the bottom of the holder to the exposed surfaceof the core, making sure that exactly half of the original height of thecore, as measured above, has been removed to within ±0.004 inches.

Leaving the core in the holder, the center of the core is found with acenter square and carefully marked and the hardness is measured at thecenter mark. Hardness measurements at any distance from the center ofthe core may be measured by drawing a line radially outward from thecenter mark, and measuring and marking the distance from the center,typically in 2-mm increments. All hardness measurements performed on theplane passing through the geometric center are performed while the coreis still in the holder and without having disturbed its orientation,such that the test surface is constantly parallel to the bottom of theholder. The hardness difference from any predetermined location on thecore (e.g., first outer surface, second outer surface, etc.) iscalculated as the average hardness at the predetermined location minusthe hardness at a chosen reference point at or closer to the geometriccenter than the predetermined location. For example, if thepredetermined location is the second outer surface and is softer thanits reference point, the inner surface, a negative hardness gradientresults between the two points. Conversely, if inner surface is harderthan the second outer surface, a positive hardness gradient results.

Hardness with respect to intermediate and cover layers may refer tosurface hardness.

Golf ball compression remains an important factor to consider inmaximizing playing performance. It affects the ball's spin rate off thedriver as well as the feel. Initially, compression was referred to asthe tightness of the windings around a golf ball. Today, compressionrefers to how much a ball will deform under a compressive force when adriver hits the ball. A ball actually tends to flatten out when a drivermeets the ball; it deforms out of its round shape and then returns toits round shape, all in a second or two. Compression ratings of fromabout 70 to about 120 are common. The lower the compression rating, themore the ball will compress or deform upon impact.

People with a slower swing or slower club head speed will desire a ballhaving a lower compression rating. While the compression of a ball alonedoes not determine whether a ball flies farther—the club head speedactually determines that—compression can nevertheless influence orcontribute to overall distance. For example, a golfer with a slower clubhead speed who uses a high compression ball will indeed lose yardagethat would otherwise be achieved if that golfer used a low compression(or softer) ball. Accordingly, it is desirable to match golf ballcompression rating with a player's swing speed in maximizing a golfer'sperformance on the green.

Several different methods can be used to measure compression, includingAtti compression, Riehle compression, load/deflection measurements at avariety of fixed loads and offsets, and effective modulus. See, e.g.,Compression by Any Other Name, Science and Golf IV, Proceedings of theWorld Scientific Congress of Golf (Eric Thain ed., Routledge, 2002) (“J.Dalton”) The term compression, as used herein, refers to Atticompression and is measured using an Atti compression test device. Apiston compresses a ball against a spring and the piston remains fixedwhile deflection of the spring is measured at 1.25 mm (0.05 inches).Where a core has a very low stiffness, the compression measurement willbe zero at 1.25 mm. In order to measure the compression of a core usingan Atti compression tester, the core must be shimmed to a diameter of1.680 inches because these testers are designed to measure objectshaving that diameter. Atti compression units can be converted to Riehle(cores), Riehle (balls), 100 kg deflection, 130-10 kg deflection oreffective modulus using the formulas set forth in J. Dalton.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the golf ball isformulated to have a compression of from about 50 to about 120. In oneembodiment, the compression of the core is greater than about 50. Inanother embodiment, the compression of the core is greater than about70. In yet another embodiment, the compression of the core is from about80 to about 100.

The distance that a golf ball would travel upon impact is a function ofthe coefficient of restitution (COR) and the aerodynamic characteristicsof the ball. For golf balls, COR has been approximated as a ratio of thevelocity of the golf ball after impact to the velocity of the golf ballprior to impact. The COR varies from 0 to 1.0. A COR value of 1.0 isequivalent to a perfectly elastic collision, that is, all the energy istransferred in the collision. A COR value of 0.0 is equivalent to aperfectly inelastic collision—that is, all of the energy is lost in thecollision.

COR, as used herein, is determined by firing a golf ball or golf ballsubassembly (e.g., a golf ball core) from an air cannon at two givenvelocities and calculating the COR at a velocity of 125 ft/s. Ballvelocity is calculated as a ball approaches ballistic light screenswhich are located between the air cannon and a steel plate at a fixeddistance. As the ball travels toward the steel plate, each light screenis activated, and the time at each light screen is measured. Thisprovides an incoming transit time period inversely proportional to theball's incoming velocity. The ball impacts the steel plate and reboundsthrough the light screens, which again measure the time period requiredto transit between the light screens. This provides an outgoing transittime period inversely proportional to the ball's outgoing velocity. CORis then calculated as the ratio of the outgoing transit time period tothe incoming transit time period, COR=V_(out)/V_(in)=T_(in)/T_(out).Preferably, a golf ball according to the present invention has a COR ofat least about 0.78, more preferably, at least about 0.80.

The spin rate of a golf ball also remains an important golf ballcharacteristic. High spin rate allows skilled players more flexibilityin stopping the ball on the green if they are able to control a highspin ball. On the other hand, recreational players often prefer a lowspin ball since they do not have the ability to intentionally controlthe ball, and lower spin balls tend to drift less off the green.

Golf ball spin is dependent on variables including, for example,distribution of the density or specific gravity within a golf ball. Forexample, when the density or specific gravity is located in the golfball center, a lower moment of inertia results which increases spinrate. Alternatively, when the density or specific gravity isconcentrated in the outer regions of the golf ball, a higher moment ofinertia results with a lower spin rate. The moment of inertia for a onepiece ball that is 1.62 ounces and 1.68 inches in diameter isapproximately 0.4572 oz-in², which is the baseline moment of inertiavalue.

Accordingly, by varying the materials and the hardness of the regions ofeach core layer, different moments of inertia may be achieved for thegolf ball of the present invention. In one embodiment, the resultinggolf ball has a moment of inertia of from about to 0.440 to about 0.455oz-in². In another embodiment, the golf balls of the present inventionhave a moment of inertia of from about 0.456 oz-in² to about 0.470oz-in². In yet another embodiment, the golf ball has a moment of inertiaof from about 0.450 oz-in² to about 0.460 oz-in².

In one embodiment, the UHMWPHA composition of the present invention hasa moisture vapor transmission rate (“MVTR”) of 10 gmil/100 in²/day orless, preferably 8 or less, more preferably 2 or less. As used herein,MVTR is given in gmil/100 in²/day, and is measured at 20.degree. C.,according to ASTM F1249-99.

By way of non-limiting prophetic example, a golf ball according to theinvention may be made as follows:

The Core:

A golf ball core of the present invention can be made using theingredients as shown in Table I below. As used herein, the term “phr”represents parts per hundred parts by weight of rubber.

TABLE I Core Compositions for 1.550″ diameter Core IngredientsComparative (phr) Example 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Polybutadiene100 100 100 100 rubber, Taktene ® 220 Peroxide 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8initiator, Perkadox BC-FF* Co-agent, SR- 30 30 30 30 526** ZnO 5 5 5 5Density adjusting 20 20 20 20 filler, BaSO₄ UHMWPHA 0 5 10 15 having amelt index of 5.0 at 210° C./2.16 Kg and a Vicat softening temperatureof 180° F. Perkadox BC-FF*: Dicumyl peroxide (99 to 100% active)available from Akzo Nobel SR-526**: Zinc diacrylate available fromSartomer

Referring to Table I, the composition of the core in comparative example1 is identical to that of the cores in Examples 1, 2 and 3 except thatthe comparative example 1 core comprises no UHMWPHA. In contrast, thecores of Examples 1, 2 and 3 in Table I comprise varying amounts ofUHMWPHA as indicated in addition to the co-agent. A core as reflected inExamples 1, 2 and 3 would possess higher compression and improved flightcharacteristics over the core of Comparative Example 1.

Although the co-agent provides stiffening similar to the UHMWPHA, andwould provide resilience and impact durability, the UHMWPHA alsopossesses biodegradable characteristics as a renewable resource, whereasthe co-agent does not. Moreover, while Comparative Example 1 andExamples 1, 2 and 3 of Table I each include 30 phr co-agent, a furtherinventive core is envisioned which includes less co-agent than doesComparative Example 1 (for example 25 phr) and meanwhile includes anUHMWPHA in an amount which would nevertheless retain or increaseresilience and compression as compared with the core of ComparativeExample 1 having 30 phr co-agent.

Additionally, where a core comprises the ingredients represented inTable I, these ingredients may be included in amounts within thefollowing ranges (phr):

-   -   Polybutadiene rubber, Taktene® 220: 100    -   Peroxide initiator, Perkadox BC-FF: from about 0.4 to about 2.0,        preferably from about 0.5 to about 1.4, most preferably from        about 0.6 to about 1.2    -   Co-agent, SR-526: from about 20 to about 45, preferably from        about 24 to about 40, most preferably from about 28 to about 36    -   ZnO: from about 2 to about 20    -   Density adjusting filler, BaSO₄: from about 5 to about 50, or        from about 10 to about 40 and most preferably from about 15 to        about 30    -   UHMWPHA: from about 5 to about 50, preferably from about 5 to        about 40 and most preferably from about 5 to about 30

When the Vicat softening temperature of the UHMWPHA is below 150° F.,conventional rubber mixing equipment such as a roll mill/internalmixer/extruder may be used to make golf cores. However, when the Vicatsoftening temperature of the UHMWPHA is above 150° F., then it ispreferable to blend a diene rubber and the UHMWPHA together using asingle or twin-screw compounding machine to produce a homogeneouspolymer blend at a mixing temperature of up to about 450° F. in order toprevent any degradation of the diene rubber during the mixing process.To this blend, the remaining ingredients as disclosed in Table 1 may beadded and mixed uniformly on a roll mill or other rubber processingequipment at a temperature not exceeding about 200° F. to prevent anycross-linking prior to core molding. In one embodiment, the core moldingmay be performed at 350° F. for 11 minutes when a dicumyl peroxideinitiator is used by any compression molding procedure known in the golfball art. Furthermore, other core molding techniques including a onestep or a multi-step curing can be employed to provide desirable golfball core performance including increased CoR at lower compression.Optionally, the core formulations may include an antioxidant such asVanox® MBPC to provide a negative or zero gradient in hardnessproperties (as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,678,312).

Inner Cover and/or Intermediate Layer:

A golf ball inner cover or intermediate layer of the invention can bemade using the ingredients as shown in Table II. As used in Table II,the term “phr” represents parts per hundred parts by weight of resin.

TABLE II Inner Cover Compositions Ingredients Comparative (phr) Example2 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Surlyn ® 9910*** 100 100 100 100 UHMWPHA0 5 10 15 having a melt index of 5.0 at 210° C./2.16 Kg ***Surlyn ® 9910is a Zinc ionomer from Du Pont.

Referring to Table II, these ingredients may be combined as a physicalmixture (salt and pepper like) for an injection molding process directlyor can be compounded using a single or twin-screw compounding machine.The compounded composition may be injection molded as an inner coverlayer having a thickness in the range of from about 0.010 inches toabout 0.050 inches, preferably from about 0.020 inches to about 0.040inches and most preferably from about 0.025 inches to 0.030 incheseither by making half shells followed by compression molding or by usinga retractable pin injection molding (RPIM) process known in the golfball art. An inner cover/intermediate layer as reflected in Examples 4,5 and 6 would possess higher stiffness and reduced backspin from thedriver as well as provide biodegradability as compared with that ofComparative Example 2. Alternatively, the inner cover or intermediatelayer may include an UHMWPHA in an amount within the same ranges asdisclosed above with respect to the core composition.

Outer Cover:

A golf ball outer cover of the present invention can be made using theingredients as shown in Table III:

TABLE III Outer Cover Compositions Ingredients Comparative (phr) Example3 Example 7 Example 8 Example 9 Thermoplastic 100 100 100 100 UrethaneEstane ® 58134**** UHMWPHA 0 5 10 15 having a melt index of 5.0 at 210°C./2.16 Kg ****Estane ® 58134 is a thermoplastic urethane from LubrizolCorporation

Referring to Table III, these ingredients may be combined as a physicalmixture (salt and pepper like) for an injection molding process directlyor can be compounded using a single or twin-screw compounding machine.The compounded composition is injection molded as a golf ball outercover layer either by making half shells followed by compression moldingor by RPIM process known in the golf ball art. Furthermore, othertechniques such as a co-injection molding method can be employed toproduce a very soft outer skin and a very thin hard middle layer basedon the UHMWPHA compositions. The covers in Examples 7, 8 and 9 of TableIII would possess higher stiffness and reduced backspin from the driveras well as provide biodegradability as compared with that of ComparativeExample 3 of Table III. The outer cover may alternatively include anUHMWPHA in an amount within the same ranges disclosed hereinabove withrespect to the core composition, inner cover and intermediate layers.

Golf balls may also be made according to the invention pursuant to theprophetic non-limiting examples below. In examples 10-33 of TablesIV-VII below, at least one of a core/core layer, intermediatelayer/inner cover layer and outer cover layer includes both a renewablepolymer composition (RPC) comprising an UHMWPHA renewable polymer and amasterbatch non-renewable composition. These golf balls may bemanufactured according to any method or process known in the artincluding for example but limited to compression molding, injectionmolding, injection compression, casting, RIM, RPIM.

Table IV below demonstrates in examples 10-12 that the durability of agolf ball of the invention improves/increases as the Notched Izod ImpactStrength of a layer comprising 10 phr of a RPC comprising UHMWPHA israised from 1 ft.lb./in. to 10 ft.lbs./in. to 18 ft.lbs./in. The trendis the same in examples 13-15 at 20 phr RPC.

TABLE IV Effect of Renewable Polymer Composition (RPC) Notched Izod OnGolf Ball Properties Ingredients (phr) Ex. 10 Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex.14 Ex. 15 Masterbatch* 100 100 100 100 100 100 RPC 10 20 Notched Izod of1 ft.lbs./ in. at 23° C. RPC 10 20 Notched Izod of 10 ft.lbs./ in. at23° C. RPC 10 20 Notched Izod of 18 ft.lbs./ in. at 23° C. Golf BallDurable More Even Durable More Even Impact Durable More Durable Moredurability Durable Durable *The Master Batch, in Examples 10-33 ofTables IV-VII herein shall refer to and include a composition comprisingone of the following: (1) Where the Core comprises the RPC, themasterbatch composition comprises of 100 phr polybutadiene rubber, 0.6phr of Perkadox BC-FF peroxide initiator, 30 phr of SR-526 Zincdiacrylate coagent, 5 phr of ZnO filler and 20 phr of BaSO4 densityadjusting filler; (2) Where the Inner cover or intermediate layercomprises the RPC, the masterbatch composition comprises 100 phr ofSurlyn 9910; and (3) Where the Outercover comprises the RPC, themasterbatch composition comprises 100 phr of Estane 58881 (TPU).

Table V below demonstrates in examples 16-18 that the durability of agolf ball of the invention improves/increases as the Polydispersity of alayer comprising 10 phr of a RPC comprising UHMWPHA is raised from 1 to2 to 2.5. The trend is the same in examples 19-21 at 20 phr RPC.

TABLE V Effect of RPC Polydispersity On Golf Ball Properties Ingredients(phr) Ex. 16 Ex. 17 Ex. 18 Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Ex. 21 Masterbatch* 100 100 100100 100 100 RPC 10 20 Polydispersity of 1 RPC 10 20 Polydispersity of 2RPC 10 20 Polydispersity of 2.5 Golf Ball Durable More Even Durable MoreEven Impact Durable More Durable More Durability Durable Durable

Table VI below demonstrates in examples 22-24 that golf ball stiffnessincreases and back spin decreases according to the invention as theFlexural modulus of a layer comprising 10 phr of a RPC comprisingUHMWPHA is raised from 50,000 psi to 150,00 psi to 250,000 psi. Thetrend is the same in examples 25-27 at 20 phr RPC.

TABLE VI Effect of RPC Flexural Modulus On Golf Ball PropertiesIngredients (phr) Ex. 22 Ex. 23 Ex. 24 Ex. 25 Ex. 26 Ex. 27 Masterbatch*100 100 100 100 100 100 RPC 10 20 Flex modulus of 50 kpsi at 23° C. RPC10 20 Flex modulus of 150 kpsi at 23° C. RPC 10 20 Flex modulus of 250kpsi at 23° C. Layer stiffness Stiff and low More stiff Even more stiffStiff and low More stiff Even more stiff and back spin back spin andreduced and further reduced back spin and reduced and further reducedfrom driver back spin back spin back spin back spin

Table VII below demonstrates in examples 28-30 that both stiffness anddurability increase in a golf ball according to the invention as theTensile Strength of a layer comprising 10 phr of a RPC comprisingUHMWPHA is raised from 2,000 psi to 4,000 psi to 5,500 psi. The trend isthe same in examples 31-33 at 20 phr RPC.

TABLE VII Effect of RPC Tensile Strength at Break on Golf BallProperties Ingredients (phr) Ex. 28 Ex. 29 Ex. 30 Ex. 31 Ex. 32 Ex. 33Masterbatch* 100 100 100 100 100 100 RPC 10 20 Tensile strength at breakof 2,000 psi at 23° C. RPC 10 20 Tensile strength at break of 4,000 psiat 23° C. RPC 10 20 Tensile strength at break of 5,500 psi at 23° C.Layer stiffness and Stiff and More Stiff and Even More Stiff Stiff andMore Stiff and Even More Stiff Golf ball durability Durable More Durableand Even More Durable More Durable and Even More from impact DurableDurable

Accordingly, as is shown in the prophetic examples above, a golf ballaccording to the invention comprising in at least one of its core,intermediate layer, inner cover layer or outer cover layer a renewablepolymer composition comprising a UHMWPHA improves golf ballcharacteristics including, for example the characteristics identifiedabove within the notched Izod, polydispersity, flexural modulus andtensile ranges disclosed the specification. Moreover, other desiredcharacteristics, including for example resiliency and playability ingeneral may be improved within these disclosed ranges.

The masterbatch disclosed in examples 10-33 above represents only one ofmany possible formulations for the non-renewable composition componentand may be modified or replaced with any formulation known in the artfor forming cores, core layers, intermediate layers, inner cover layers,and outer covers.

A golf ball according to the invention may also comprise in at least oneof the core, cover, intermediate layer, inner cover layer and outercover layer a renewable polymer composition comprising one or more ofthe following non-UHMWPHA renewable polymers:

-   -   Mirel® bio-polymers based on PHA's from Metabolix-Telles such as        Mirel® P1000 and Mirel® P 4000 series like Mirel® P1003 and        Mirel® P 4001;    -   NatureWorks® bio-polymers based on PLA's from NatureWorks such        as Ingeo® 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 series like        Ingeo® 2002D, 3001D, 3051D, 3051D, 4032D, 4042D, 4050D, 4060D,        6201D, 6202D, 6204D, 6251D, 6302D, 6350D, 6400D, 6751D, 7000D,        7032D, 8251D and 8302D;    -   Pearlthane® bio-polymers based on Polyurethane's from Merquinsa        such as Pearlthane® Pearlthane ECO D12T85, D12T90, D12T95,        D12T60D, D20N88, D20N50D and D20N55D;    -   Pebax®Rnew bio-polymers based on Polyamide-ether or ester        elastomers from Arkema such as Pebax®Rnew 35R53 SA01 or SP01,        40R53SA01 or SP01, 55 R53SA01, 63 R53SA01 or SP01, 70R53SA01 or        SP01 and 72 R53SA01;    -   Hytrel® RS bio-polymers containing at least 50% renewably        sourced ingredients based on Polyester-ether or ester elastomers        from Du Pont such as Hytrel® RS40F3 NC010 and RS40F5 NC010;    -   Biomax® PTT 1002 and 1100 resins based on a renewably sourced        polyester resin made from propanediol and terphthalaic acid from        Du Pont;    -   Biomax® Strong 100 and 120 based on partially renewable        petroleum based polymer modifiers from Du Pont; and    -   Zytel® RS LC1600 BK385 based on a renewable sourced Polyamide        1010 containing a minimum amount of 60% renewably sourced        ingredient from Du Pont.

Unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges,amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials,and others in the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word“about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with thevalue, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary,the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attachedclaims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desiredproperties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the veryleast, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter shouldat least be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges ofvarying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that anycombination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein fulfill the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, it is appreciated that numerous modifications and otherembodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Examples of suchmodifications include reasonable variations of the numerical valuesand/or materials and/or components discussed above. Hence, the numericalvalues stated above and claimed below specifically include those valuesand the values that are approximate to those stated and claimed values.Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intendedto cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scopeby the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodimentsare intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Anyequivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of thisinvention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition tothose shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the foregoing description. For example, the compositionsof the present invention may be used in a variety of equipment. Suchmodifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

While any of the embodiments herein may have any known dimple number andpattern, a preferred number of dimples is 252 to 456, and morepreferably is 330 to 392. The dimples may comprise any width, depth, andedge angle disclosed in the prior art and the patterns may comprisesmultitudes of dimples having different widths, depths and edge angles.The parting line configuration of said pattern may be either a straightline or a staggered wave parting line (SWPL). Most preferably the dimplenumber is 330, 332, or 392 and comprises 5 to 7 dimples sizes and theparting line is a SWPL.

In any of these embodiments the single-layer core may be replaced with atwo or more layer core wherein at least one core layer has a negativehardness gradient. Other than in the operating examples, or unlessotherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts,values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials and othersin the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” eventhough the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amountor range.

Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parametersset forth in the specification and attached claims are approximationsthat may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to beobtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as anattempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to thescope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least beconstrued in light of the number of reported significant digits and byapplying ordinary rounding techniques.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein fulfill the objective stated above, it is appreciatedthat numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised bythose skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications andembodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core,wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprises: about 10 wt %or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprising an ultra highmolecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having the formula:—OCR₁R₂ (CR₃R₄)_(n)CO— wherein n is an integer, and wherein R_(1,)R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ are selected from the group comprising saturated andunsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substitutedradicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substitutedradicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms; about 90 wt %or less of a non renewable polymer composition; wherein the renewablepolymer composition comprises a notched Izod impact strength of about0.5 ft-lbs/inch or greater; and wherein the at least one of the core andthe cover comprises a hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90Shore C.
 2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the renewable polymercomposition comprises an ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a first notched Izod impactstrength Iz₁ and low to medium molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoatecompound having a second notched Izod impact strength Iz₂ wherein theratio of Iz₂ to Iz₁ is from about 0.03 to about 10.0.
 3. The golf ballof claim 1, wherein the renewable polymer composition consists of 100 wt% of the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound. 4.The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the renewable polymer compositioncomprises less than 100 wt % of the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound.
 5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein therenewable polymer composition comprises the notched Izod impact strengthat about 23° C.
 6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the ultra highmolecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound comprises a molecularweight of about 60,000 grams/mole or greater.
 7. The golf ball of claim1, wherein the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compoundcomprises an acid or ester group content of from about 2.5% by wt to 25%by wt.
 8. The golf ball of claim 1, the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound comprising acid groups wherein about 70 wt% or less of the acid groups are neutralized by a cation sourcecomprising Li, Na, K, Cs, Mg, Ca, Ba, Mn, Zn, Cs, Zr, Ti, W, and Al. 9.The golf ball of claim 1, further comprising at least one nano fillerselected from the group comprising nano silicates, nano metallic oxides,nano metal powders, nano zinc oxides, nano carbon tubes, nano fullerens,polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxanes and blends thereof.
 10. The golfball of claim 1, wherein the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound comprises a melt flow modifier selectedfrom the group comprising animal fats, plants, synthetic and organicacids and their salts.
 11. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein the ultrahigh molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound comprises the meltflow modifier in an amount of about 10% by weight or greater.
 12. Thegolf ball of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate layer disposedbetween the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the core, thecover and the intermediate layer comprises the renewable polymercomposition.
 13. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core comprises aninner core and an outer core and the outer core comprises the renewablepolymer composition.
 14. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the covercomprises an inner cover and an outer cover and the inner covercomprises renewable polymer composition.
 15. The golf ball of claim 1,wherein the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compoundcomprises acid groups wherein about 70 wt % or greater of the acidgroups are neutralized by a cation source comprising Li, Na, K, Cs, Mg,Ca, Ba, Mn, Zn, Cs, Zr, Ti, W, and Al.
 16. A golf ball comprising a coreand a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprisesabout 10 wt % or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprisingan ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having theformula:—OCR₁R₂(CR₃R₄)_(n)CO— wherein n is an integer, and wherein R_(1,) R_(2,)R₃ and R₄ are selected from the group comprising saturated andunsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substitutedradicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substitutedradicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms; wherein therenewable polymer composition comprises a polydispersity of from about1.0 to about 4.0; and wherein the at least one of the core and the covercomprises a hardness of from about 50 Shore C to about 90 Shore C. 17.The golf ball of claim 16, wherein the renewable polymer compositioncomprises an ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compoundhaving a first polydispersity P₁ and low to medium molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound having a second polydispersity P₂ whereinthe ratio of P₂ to P₁ is from about 0.25 to about 2.0.
 18. The golf ballof claim 16, wherein the renewable polymer composition consists of 100wt % of the ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound.19. The golf ball of claim 16, wherein the renewable polymer compositioncomprises less than 100 wt % of the ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound.
 20. The golf ball of claim 16, whereinR_(1,) R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ are substantially similar.
 21. The golf ball ofclaim 16, wherein R₁, R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ are different.
 22. The golf ballof claim 16, wherein n=500 or greater.
 23. The golf ball of claim 16,wherein the core comprises a hardness of from about 30 Shore D to about60 Shore D.
 24. The golf ball of claim 16, wherein the cover comprises ahardness of from about 40 Shore D to about 65 Shore D.
 25. A golf ballcomprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein at leastone of the core and the cover comprises: about 10 wt % or greater of arenewable polymer composition comprising an ultra high molecular weightpolyhydroxyalkanoate compound having the formula:—OCR₁R₂ (CR₃R₄)_(n)CO— wherein n is an integer, and wherein R_(1,)R_(2,) R₃ and R₄ are selected from the group comprising saturated andunsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substitutedradicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substitutedradicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms; about 90 wt %or less of a non renewable polymer composition; and wherein therenewable polymer composition comprises at least one of a notched Izodimpact strength of about 0.5 ft-lbs/inch or greater and a polydispersityof from about 1.0 to about 4.0.